UPDATE: $100 million venture in Ellisville commits to creating 150 jobs by 2020

By JACK WEATHERLY

Praxair Surface Technologies Inc. and GE Aviation on Monday announced a $100 million joint venture, PG Technologies LLC, in Ellisville.

The project is expected to increase employment at the former GE Aviation facility to 250 by 2020, with the potential to grow to 400 jobs. It currently employs 100, according to an email in response to a question from the Mississippi Business Journal.

The venture will supplement the services from other PG Technologies locations in Indianapolis, Ind., and the Republic of Singapore, as well as from the global network of Praxair Surface Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Praxair Inc.

The Mississippi Development Authority is transferring $4 million from the original GE Aviation memorandum of understanding made in 2011, the agency said in response to a question by the Journal.

GE Aviation invested $56 million in a facility and began producing advanced composite components in 2013 for aircraft engines and systems.

Then-Gov. Haley Barbour said, “Within 10 years, GE Aviation will have created more than 600 jobs for Mississippi’s workers and invested $150 million in the state.”

In return for PG Technologies’ commitment to hire 150 more by 2020, MDA will provide $2.2 million.

Also, $2.3 million will be made available to PG Technologies if the company commits to creating 150 more jobs by 2026, for a total of 400 Additionally, $263,000 is being transferred from the original GE Aviation project for work-force training.

The Jones County Economic Development Authority is providing $200,000 for work-force training and the city and county are providing a fee-in-lieu taxes abatement and Freeport warehouse exemption.

The joint venture will provide specialized coatings for GE components associated with nearly all of GE’s aircraft engines. GE Aviation will deliver jet engine parts from its locations throughout the United States.

Praxair Surface Technologies President Pierre Lüthi, said in a release that production is expected to start in the second half of 2017.

“MDA thanks the Praxair and GE Aviation teams for choosing Ellisville as the primary site of PG Technologies, a decision which will bring exciting new career opportunities to Mississippians as well as enhance Mississippi as an aerospace innovative technology leader,” MDA Executive Director Glenn McCullough Jr. said in the release.

Praxair Inc., a Fortune 300 company with 2015 sales of $11 billion, is a leading industrial gas company in North and South America and one of the largest worldwide. The company produces atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings.

Praxair Surface Technologies had 2015 sales of $600 million.

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